Goof-up or design? Questions linger over port limits in CZMP

Gram sabha members of Benaulim village panchayat reject the Salcete BDO’s directive to send suggestions to the draft CZMP on Tuesday.

MARGAO
The uproar witnessed across several coastal villages over the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 has raised serious questions about whether the controversy stems from a “goof-up” or “miscommunication” by panchayat authorities.
While citizens may give authorities the benefit of doubt if the present exercise is the result of a lapse or miscommunication by the Salcete Block Development Office (BDO), the draft CZMP has triggered deep concerns—particularly over the reappearance of port limits in riverine villages.
Residents are demanding a clear explanation — how come port limits have resurfaced in the draft CZMP when they were vehemently opposed during consultations for the previous plan. The GCZMA Director’s assurance that the draft plan will undergo a consultative process may have temporarily calmed tempers, but citizens are already gearing up for another round of battle — this time to ensure the port limits are removed altogether.
The return of port limits along the river Sal has become a contentious issue in Salcete’s coastal countryside. Questions are being raised whether the port limits have been reintroduced under provisions of the Port Act, whether villages such as Cavelossim and Carmona fall within the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), or whether their inclusion is due to proximity to the proposed Betul port.
Environment-conscious citizens are seeking clarity on the implications of port limits for riverine villages and Salcete’s tourism belt, fearing adverse impacts on the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Environmental activists warn that the port limits could override the No Development Zone (NDZ) and threaten khazan lands within their boundaries. Others point out that NDZ buffers along rivers and the coast may be reduced based on population figures.
Environmental activist Abhijit Prabhudesai described the inclusion of port limits in the draft plan as a deliberate attempt by the MPA to bring development under its control.
“This is a dangerous situation, and the people of Goa should brace for another movement to remove the port limits from the draft plan. We have challenged the CRZ Notification 2019 before the National Green Tribunal, and proceedings are currently underway at the NGT Principal Bench in New Delhi. The port limits will destroy NDZ areas, khazan lands, and severely impact the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities,” he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Cavelossim Biodiversity Management Committee chairperson Roy Barretto said the port limits have once again been shown in the village’s draft CZMP.
“We had opposed the port limits in the earlier plan as they would destroy the village ecosystem, environment, and tourism. The issue has already been flagged at the Sunday gram sabha, and we will oppose it strongly during the consultative process,” he stated.
Social activist Avinash Tavares, engaged by the Carmona village panchayat as a resource person, pointed out that a substantial portion of Carmona’s riverine area has been marked as port limits. He questioned whether the reappearance of port limits was due to the MPA’s jurisdiction or the village’s proximity to the proposed Betul port.
As consultations approach, resistance is expected to intensify, with coastal communities preparing to challenge what they see as a serious threat to Goa’s fragile riverine and coastal ecosystem.
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Lourenco flags risk of wider MPA powers
MARGAO: Curtorim's Independent MLA and a ruling coalition partner, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, has come out clearly against the port limits resurfacing in the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), saying the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) cannot be armed with more powers when privatisation of ports is taking place in the country.
Reminding that he has opposed the port limits in the past when he was in the opposition, Lourenco said he would convey his concerns to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The MLA further said the opposition parties should carry the battle against the port limits forward.
“My stand is clear. I stand by what I had opposed. There is no change in my stand. The port authorities do not deserve wide powers. In Vasco, people are fighting with the MPA even for road access,” he said.
Saying the State government will have to seriously think about the powers given to the MPA under the Port Act, the MLA said the government will have to fight to retain its powers. “As it is, Goa is under pressure from central government agencies to take over local powers. I will talk to the Chief Minister on the port limits to protect the interests of the State,” he added.
Terming the Port Act a draconian legislation, Lourenco said the law has brought rivers and even rivulets under the port authority. “This Act is dangerous for the State. The Chief Minister should do something. We should protect our land and the interests of the State,” he asserted.
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Benaulim villagers demand time and clarity on CZMP
MARGAO: The gram sabha of Benaulim village panchayat rejected Salcete BDO’s diktat to convey suggestions on the draft CZMP 2019 while demanding a fresh 60-day public notice before the mandatory public hearing on the plan.
The gram sabha, chaired by sarpanch Xavier Fernandes, also asked the Director of Environment and Climate Change to send a qualified representative to attend a Gram Sabha meeting and explain the draft CZMP 2019 prepared for Benaulim village.
Members of the gram sabha further demanded that the government ensure that the final CZMP 2019 incorporates and demarcates all the ground realities documented by the villagers and approved by the Gram Sabha.
The gram sabha gave the nod to the panchayat to approach the High Court and also the Supreme Court, if necessary, in order to implement the gram sabha resolution.
Terming the public notice as illegal since CRZ Notification 2019 requires “wide publicity” of the draft maps and report, members said sufficient time should be given so that residents can file their submissions, and a public hearing should be held until which objections can be filed.
“The directions received by the Panchayat are illegal and completely unacceptable, since a minimum of 60 days is required after the public notice for the villagers to review and comment upon the draft CZMP maps and report,” the gram sabha stated.
Members insisted on correct demarcations of the rights of local residents, their houses and livelihoods, and their environment in CZMP 2019, saying this is critical for the survival of the local residents and their livelihoods. “Any error will cause serious damage, loss and displacement to the affected residents; hence every resident should be able to review the draft maps and report and ensure that his/her rights are protected,” the resolution stated.
Saying the review of the CZMP 2019 requires the help of experts, as the local residents cannot read the maps, they said it is necessary that after the maps are made available to the residents, a representative of the authorities must attend a Gram Sabha meeting, explain the maps and report, and answer queries of the residents. The entire process is time-consuming and will require at least 60 days.
“The villagers, Gram Sabha and the Panchayat had prepared detailed maps in 2021, which were totally ignored by the authorities. It is essential that the ground reality that is documented by the villagers is demarcated in the final CZMP 2019,” the gram sabha further stated.